Legal Definitions - AACN

AACN stands for Anno Ante Christum Natum, which is Latin for "in the year before the birth of Christ." This term is used to denote years prior to the traditionally accepted year of Jesus Christ's birth, serving the same purpose as the more commonly used abbreviations B.C. (Before Christ) or B.C.E. (Before Common Era). It is primarily found in historical, theological, or academic texts, particularly those with a classical or ecclesiastical focus, to precisely date events in ancient history.

• Example 1: Historical Text Reference

  A historian writing about the Roman Republic might state, "The Second Punic War, a pivotal conflict between Rome and Carthage, began in 218 AACN."

  Explanation: Here, "218 AACN" precisely dates the start of the Second Punic War to 218 years before the birth of Christ, providing a clear historical marker for readers familiar with this dating convention.

• Example 2: Archaeological Discovery Documentation

  An archaeological report detailing findings from an ancient Egyptian tomb might describe a discovered artifact as, "A ceramic vessel, carbon-dated to approximately 1450 AACN, was unearthed near the sarcophagus."

  Explanation: In this context, "1450 AACN" specifies that the vessel dates back to roughly 1450 years before the birth of Christ, placing it firmly within the Late Bronze Age of ancient Egypt and providing a chronological reference for the artifact's age.

• Example 3: Legal or Treaty Analysis (Historical Context)

  An academic paper analyzing ancient international law might discuss the earliest known peace treaty, stating, "The Kadesh Treaty, signed between the Egyptian Empire and the Hittite Empire, is generally dated to 1259 AACN, representing a significant early example of diplomatic agreement."

  Explanation: The use of "1259 AACN" establishes the specific year, relative to the birth of Christ, when this historic treaty was concluded, allowing for accurate chronological placement within the study of ancient legal and diplomatic history.